UN Human Rights Council Urged to Condemn Forced Return of Eritrean Refugees

Amnesty International has urged the UN Human Rights Council to condemn the forced return of Eritrean refugees, citing severe human rights violations in Eritrea and host countries. The organization called for urgent protection of these vulnerable individuals from forced deportation and related abuses. Eritrean refugees face ongoing risks in Ethiopia and Sudan, exacerbated by recent conflicts and government repression.

During the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Amnesty International called for a condemnation of the forced return of Eritrean refugees to Eritrea, highlighting the severe human rights violations that these individuals face. The organization emphasized that many refugees cannot safely return home or reside in host nations due to ongoing attacks and harassment. Amnesty urged member states to safeguard these refugees from forced deportation, arbitrary detention, and all forms of abuse in accordance with international law.

Amnesty International detailed the plight of Eritrean refugees who have suffered various abuses in Ethiopia, citing the forced deportation of hundreds by Ethiopian authorities in recent months. Additionally, Eritrean nationals in Sudan are enduring human rights violations, worsened by the conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The Special Rapporteur noted that this conflict has also displaced Eritrean refugees, and reports of human rights abuses against women and girls in RSF-controlled areas have emerged, including sexual violence and other forms of exploitation.

The organization condemned the forcible repatriation of Eritrean refugees from Türkiye, emphasizing the grave risks they face upon return, such as torture and arbitrary detention by Eritrean authorities. According to Article 33 of the 1951 Convention on Refugees, refugees must not be returned to countries where they face serious threats to their life or freedom, underscoring the principle of non-refoulement.

Eritrea has been undergoing a human rights crisis marked by government repression, including strict limits on freedom of expression and forced conscription. National service is obligatory for both men and women for a standard period of 18 months, yet this term is often extended indefinitely during crises. Such conditions compel many Eritreans to flee, as families of those who evade conscription face severe repercussions, amplifying due to Eritrea’s involvement in the Tigray war alongside Ethiopian forces.

The UN Human Rights Council was urged by Amnesty International to denounce the forced repatriation of Eritrean refugees, citing widespread human rights violations they endure. With Eritreans facing severe risks in their home country and during their displacement, it is crucial that international bodies provide protection and enforce legal standards to preclude forced returns. Continued advocacy is necessary to uphold the rights of Eritrean refugees globally.

Original Source: www.jurist.org